Math smarts puzzles for children

ABSTRACT

This invention consists of four puzzle designs for use as toys by children aged four to twelve. It is believed by the inventor that interaction with the puzzles by children will make it easier for them to learn important mathematical concepts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT

No federal finds were used in the development of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the education of children from ages four to twelve. I know of no other inventions that address this particular issue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a series of wooden puzzles for children that present them with designs that will later become meaningful as mathematical operations. The puzzles appear as abstract designs executed with precisely cut puzzle pieces. When completed the designs present the child with a visual representation of an important mathematical concept. The puzzles do not claim to teach the mathematical concept, but merely to provide children with tactile and visual experiences that may at some later time may be connected by verbal instruction to the puzzle designs. It is hoped by the inventor that the experiences of putting together these puzzles will help the children batter able to understand instruction in mathematical concepts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A top view of a puzzle depicting the multiplication of 2½ by 2½.

FIG. 2 A top view of a puzzle showing four times 1¼ times 1¼.

FIG. 3 A top view of a puzzle showing one whole divided into halves, fourths, eighths, sixteenths, and thirty-seconds.

FIG. 4 A top view of a rectangle of 48 square inches that can be filled with two rectangles of 24 square inches, 3 squares of 16 square inches, four of twelve square inches, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a series of wooden or Masonite puzzles for children intended to present them with the visual imagery for important mathematical concepts of fractions and multiplication. Each puzzle will be made of a flat Masonite base with the puzzle frame, of the same material, laminated onto the base. The puzzle pieces will be made of Masonite painted with bright, nontoxic colors.

The pieces to the first puzzle will consist of four one-inch squares, four one-inch by half inch rectangles and a square that is a half inch by a half inch. Each piece will be painted a bright, nontoxic color, using a different color for each size piece.

The pieces of the second puzzle will contain four one-inch pieces, eight quarter inch by one inch pieces, and four quarter inch by quarter inch pieces. Each size piece will be deeper shade of a single color, with four different colors used for each of the four 1¼ by 1¼ squares.

The pieces of the third puzzle will consist of one 2-inch by 4-inch piece, one 2-inch by 2-inch piece, one 2-inch by 1-inch piece, one 1-inch by 1-inch piece and two ½ inch by ½ inch pieces.

The fourth puzzle will have a bag of pieces that fit into a puzzle frame that is six by eight inches. Two of the pieces will be 6 by 4 inches; three will be 2 by 8 inches, four will be 3 by 4 inches, six of the pieces will be 1 by 8 inches. In addition there will be forty-eight one-inch squares in different colors, and ninety-six isosceles triangles in various colors.

There are other educational products that use concrete materials to teach mathematical concepts. The differences between those products and this invention are the following:

-   -   This invention is intended for use as a toy.     -   These materials are used as puzzles, not as learning aides.     -   Cuisenaire Rods® are ten plastic solids in 1 centimeter         gradations between one and ten centimeters in length that by         being laid end-to-end can be used to depict addition concepts.         The rods are usually used to represent the numerals 1-10. 

1. What I claim as my invention is the design of these four puzzles for children. They will be constructed by the manufacturer as puzzles and used as toys. However, it is believed by the inventor that repeated interaction with these materials will help the children to have better comprehension skills in mathematics teaching. 